THE ATHLETICS PREVAIL AT QUEENSWAY PARK TO BRING THE CURTAIN DOWN ON TORONTO PLAYGROUNDS SEASON
The 2017 Toronto Playgrounds Bantam Select Team
Beneath a blanket of warm summer skies, the Annette A’s edged the Toronto Playgrounds Bantam Selects 8-7 in five innings of Etobicoke Baseball Association (EBA) Bantam Select Tournament semi-final action this morning at Queensway Park.
Here are a few semi-final highlights courtesy of Bill Evans:
- TP jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the top of the first.
- The unbeaten A’s responded in kind in the bottom half of the first to deadlock the proceedings 5-5.
- After Annette took an 8-5 lead, TP clawed back with a pair to trim the shortfall to one.
- In the top of the fifth, TP had the tying run at third base. However, TP was unable to bring the equalizer home.
- TP starter Ben (4) pitched all five innings in a stellar effort on the mound.
- Despite a bloody cut over his eye, Daniel (50) stayed in the game and continued to deliver timely hits and great defensive plays for TP.
With the semi-final loss to Annette, the TP Bantam Selects have been officially knocked out of the playoff tournament.
After a tough 8-7 loss to the Martingrove White Sox on Friday evening at Queensway Park to open the playoff round, TP was thrust into a must win situation to continue their journey at the tourney. [Teams participating in this year’s EBA playoffs are operating under the double knockout formula, whereby a team with two losses would be eliminated from further contention in the tournament.]
In a do or die situation, TP answered the clarion call on Saturday morning with a dominating 16-3 victory over the Weston Wolverines at Dominico Field at Christie Pits to earn their first playoff victory. With the wind in their sails, TP defeated the Bloordale Bombers 9-7 yesterday afternoon to punch a ticket into the semi-final round.
Despite falling short at the end of season tournament, the TP Bantam Selects had a fun and productive regular season on the EBA Select circuit with a 4-8 record.
In addition, TP Bantam had rewarding tournament experiences competing against elite teams in London and Welland during the course of the 2017 season.
In a postgame interview, Assistant Coach Bill Evans was effusive in his praise of his Bantam Select players and assistant coaches: “The coaching staff is so very proud of the team’s progression throughout the season. We played our best baseball this weekend and had the undefeated Annette team on the ropes. Our players can hold their heads high. In addition, a huge thank you to TP alumni and coaches Aidan and Tim, who so generously dedicated their time this season in leading and guiding our Bantam Select players to their best baseball of the 2017 season.”
The TP House League Baseball Committee wishes to thank TP Bantam Select Head Coach Tim Lawrence, Assistant Coaches Bill Evans, Aidan McClory, and Darin Luscher, for their fortitude and patience in steering these talented Bantam Selects through the highs and lows of a fun and productive 2017 season.
The Committee also wishes to commend all the Bantam Select players, coaches, parents, and family members for representing the core values of the Toronto Playgrounds House League Baseball program with honour, dignity and professionalism both on and off the diamond during the course of the 2017 season.
WAY TO GO, TP!